Truckers know that work carries on in all seasons and that they may have to drive in unpleasant weather conditions from time to time. One rather challenging time of year for truckers is winter. Visibility is often bad, the roads are slick, there is less light during the day, and so on. With a little bit of foresight, however, most of these challenges can be tackled efficiently.
As the preferred commercial truck dealer in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York, Allegiance Trucks is here to help you navigate your way through the winter months! Read on for some tips and if you’re looking for commercial trucks for sale in Boston, MA or the Southern New England area, contact our sales staff to see what we have available!
Essential Materials
You need the right set of tools to help you out of tough situations that can occur during the winter season. We’ve listed a handful below, but you’ll want to ask around at your stops to build on this list. More experienced truckers might have their own tips on how to handle the winter.
- Winter wiper blades: Getting bigger, sturdier blades for inclement weather can make all the difference during a storm, whether you’re encountering snow or rain. They’re also designed to prevent ice accumulation.
- A different set of fluids: This one’s all-encompassing. Wherever you use fluid, from washer fluid to engine oil and more, everything you use needs to have a low freezing point, so you’re not trying to run on solids when you should be running on liquids.
- Fuel treatment: Under the same umbrella—but worth its own entry—if you want to avoid fuel gelling, you’ll need to treat it with special chemicals.
- Jumper cables: Dead batteries are common, so make sure you have a good set of cables in your standard toolkit. Even if you don’t need it, there might be another trucker on the road who will.
- Windshield scrapers and snow brushes: Get going faster by clearing off the snow and ice by hand.
- Extra blankets and clothes: Some of the materials you bring don’t have to be for your truck. Be prepared to take care of yourself by bringing along plenty of warm clothes and even an extra blanket.
Switch Your Tires
Tires are an important part of your commercial truck. Overwhelmingly, big rig accidents happen due to tire failure. The hazards only increase in inclement weather. Be diligent about tire maintenance. Check the psi levels before every day of driving, and even every time you make a stop. You’ll also want to inspect the tread for signs of excessive wear or damage. Here are some additional supplies and parts you might want:
- Winter tires: Snow tires or more general winter tires are going to give you better traction without any additional help (although replacing every tire can get expensive).
- Chains and cables: Make sure you’ve got your chains and cables handy. You might need to put them on at a moment’s notice, or just when you’re traveling through certain snowy areas. Even laying them down without attaching them can help you out of a sticky situation.
- Kitty litter: Go for a bottle as opposed to a bag. Kitty litter is a clean, compact way to put just a little extra traction under the tires to help you get moving again.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Maintenance and servicing can prevent breakdowns on the road and ensure you’re working with safe equipment. It’s an easy part of ownership, but you don’t want to let up on it, even if business does start to slow down. This includes regular oil changing and daily inspections. The sooner you can catch and fix a potential problem, the sooner you can get back to safe hauling.
When in Doubt, Pull Over
Always prioritize your safety as well as the safety of other commuters. There’s no need to put yourself and others in harm’s way, no matter how strict your deadline is. If it’s not safe for you to be driving, simply pull over. Depending on the situation, you might want to be ready to book an overnight stay until roads are cleared. This can be especially true if you’re traveling through flooded areas or through mountain passes.
Winter does bring its sets of challenges but these can be overcome with some preparation. We hope our tips help you get through the colder months with a little more ease! For more tips or to check out commercial trucks for sale in Connecticut, Massachusetts or New York, get in touch with us at Allegiance Trucks and chat with one of our friendly sales staff! We’re proud to be the leading commercial truck dealer for Boston, MA and the Southern New England area!
